Automatic switch-thrower.



Patented July l6, IQOI. J1. H. MTNBUME. AUTOMATIC SWITCH THBOWEH.

(Application filed Dec. 31, 1900.)

(No Model.)

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JOHN R. RATHBONE, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

AUTOMATIC SWlTCH-THROWER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 678,6s 5, dated July 16, 1901. Application filed December 31, 1900. Serial Not 41,626. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN R. RATHBONE, of the city of St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Switch Throwers, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

This invention relates to automatic switchthrowers; and it consists of the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter shown, described, and claimed.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved switchthrower whereby the switch can be automatically moved in either direction as the car moves over the track, thereby avoiding the necessity of stopping the car in order to adjust the switch, which would of course cause more or less delay and inconvenience.

Figure l is a perspective view showing the application of my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional View of one of the rails of the track, showing the manner in which the movable rails are to be operated. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the connection of the movable rails or plates to the operating device. Fig. 4: is a perspective view showing a portion of the operating device.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 indicates one of the fixed rails constitutinga part of the car-track.

2 denotes the movable rail or plate, which is held pivoted at 3. Carried in suitable bearings 4 below the flange of the rail 1 is a rod 5, adapted to be turned in its bearings and having one end projecting below the movable rail or plate 2, and rigid with the said end is a vertical projection 6. The opposite end of the rod 5 is provided with a lateral arm 7, upon which rests the lower end of a pin 8, which projects upwardly through an opening in the flange of the rail 1 and is provided 011 its upper end with a head or enlargement 9. The position of the pin 8 relative to the top of the rail is such that the flange of the wheel may pass between the upper extremity of the pin and the top of the rail without in any way interfering with the said pin.

10 denotes a transverse rod extending between the rails of the track and having rigid with each end a vertical pin 11, which oper ate in slots 12, formed in the flanges of the rails. The upper ends of the pins 11 are rigid with the movable plates or rails 2, so that whenever the rod 10 is moved the switch will be thrown to a position corresponding to the movement of the said rod. The upper end of the projection 6 is provided with a slot 13, within which operates a pin 14, project- 'ing laterally from the rod 10. By this means whenever the rod 5 is moved in its bearing the rod 10 will also be moved, operating the movable rails or plates 2 and so adjusting the switch. It is evident that the depression of the pin 8 can only turn the rod 5 in one direction, and accordingly the movable rails or plates 2 will be correspondingly moved.

To operate the movable rails or plates in the direction in which they will not be moved by the rod 5, I provide a similar rod 15, carried by the other rail of the track in bearings similar in all respects to the bearings 4. The said rod is provided on its forward end with a vertical projection 16, similar to the projection 6 and having like connection to the transverse rod 10. The rear end'of the rod 15 is provided with a lateral projection 17, similar to the projection 7, and a pin 18, operating through an opening in the flange of the rail, has its lower end bearing upon the said projection 17. It is manifest that by depressing the pin 18 the rod 15 will be turned in its bearings to operate the rod 10 toward the other rail of the track, which will also move the movable rails or plates 2 and so throw the switch back into the position in which it was before the operation of the rod 5. This movement of the rod 10 will also return the rod 5 to its normal position and raise the pin 8, so that its head or enlargement 9 will be elevated a suitable distance above the flange of the rail.

In order to throw the switch to permit the car to pass in the desired direction, it is necessary that one of the rods 5 or 15 be turned,

which is done by depressing the pins 8 or 18.

I provide means for so doing, which I will now describe.

Pivoted in any suitable manner to the car is a rod 19, the lower end of which is biturcated and carries a Wheel of sufficient thickness to extend over the pin Sin order to depress the same. I provide one of these devices-at each side of the car, so that the switch may be thrown in either direction by lowering the wheel onto the track and permitting it to operate the switch as required. The rod 19 is provided with a suitable connection 21, which extends upwardly and is under the control of the motorman, so that either of the wheels 20 may be operated without inconvenience. To throw the switch, it is only necessary to lower the required wheel 20 upon the track, which, as stated, is of sufficient thickness to extend over the upper extremity of the pin 8 or 18, as the case may be. As the wheel 20 moves over either of the pins mentioned the connecting-rods will be operated, which will move the rod 10, carrying the movable rails or plates, in the required direction. It is not necessary to provide any operating mechanism on the divergent side of the switch, for the reason that the flanges of the car-wheels passing between the movable rails or plates 2 and the tops of the fixed rails will force the said movable plates or rails to permit the car to pass.

I claim' The improved switch-thrower, consisting of a transverse rod 10 extending across the track and having its ends under the flanges of the the said operating-rods, there being openings in the flanges of the rails above the said horizontal extensions, pins operating through said openings and having their lower ends resting upon the extensions and provided with heads or enlargements on their upper ends to prevent them from dropping through, the said pins being at a sufficient remove from the heads of the rails to permit the flanges of the car-wheels to pass along without coming into contact with the said pins, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN R. RATHBONE.

\Vitnesses:

ALFRED A. EICKS, JOHN D. RIPPEY. 

